On a mission - universities seek dialog with urban society
A contact point in the city center, research projects for citizens, public discussion rounds - Hesse's universities are increasingly seeking an exchange with urban society. The University of Kassel, for example, is opening a store on a popular shopping street in the city center this Thursday. With the "Uni:Lokal", science is moving into the center of the city, said the Chancellor of Kassel University, Oliver Fromm. "We want to have a stronger impact on the city and the region." Other universities in Hesse are pursuing similar concepts.
In addition to the core missions of universities - research and teaching - interaction with stakeholders outside the university is now increasingly part of the universities' self-image, explained Cort-Denis Hachmeister from the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) in Gütersloh. This transfer, also known as the "third mission", serves to legitimize the universities. "You show people why they exist, what they do and why it is important that society finances them," explained Hachmeister. On the other hand, both sides benefit from the exchange in terms of content. The universities communicate the subject matter and results of their research to people. "Conversely, the universities draw inspiration from contact with urban society."
The University of Kassel is also hoping for this. Fromm explained that the converted store is intended to be an open venue and meeting place for urban society. It will also serve as the university's sustainability laboratory. The aim of the university is to promote the sustainable development of the city and region and to involve interested citizens in the process, said the Chancellor.
Four themed years are initially planned, explained Daniel Opper, Head of the central transfer department UniKasselTransfer. Its task is to actively make the university's knowledge and expertise available to society. In the first year, the focus will be on challenges in the areas of environment and energy. An exhibition in "Uni:Lokal", in which the city of Kassel is also involved, provides information on other key topics ranging from social inequality to the circular economy, urban development and culture.
Philipps-Universität Marburg also runs a store in the city center together with the city. The university has been opening up to urban society in a variety of projects and collaborations "for a long time," explained a spokesperson. For example, citizens are involved in research projects. Urban society can also propose projects that are then carried out across semesters. "In our opinion, opening up to society - including urban society - is part of the core mission of research and teaching."
Justus Liebig University (JLU) Giessen also aims to provide scientific knowledge for society, business, politics and culture and to further develop it through mutual exchange, said a spokesperson. "Our medical research, on the basis of which the university hospital ensures medical care for the region, is of course particularly important and also has a service function for the city's society." In addition, there are a whole series of concrete examples of opening up to urban society.
One of these is the Hermann Hoffmann Academy of the JLU as a place of teaching and learning in biology, which is specifically aimed at school students. "Its trademark is the skeleton of the Giessen sperm whale, which can be admired by the public." In addition, the university's collection of antiquities has been on display in the Oberhessisches Museum in the city center for many decades. "The President's lecture series, which focuses on a socially relevant topic each winter semester and brings top-class speakers to JLU, is also a real crowd puller."
A spokesperson explained that a close exchange with urban society is a central concern of Technische Universität (TU) Darmstadt. "We are convinced that science can only succeed in communicative exchange with society in order to jointly develop forward-looking and sustainable solutions for the major challenges of our time." The TU's "Science Castle" is a central hub for this, with public lecture series, discussions and cultural events. It serves as an open meeting place in the heart of the city. "This is where people working in science and people living and working in urban society come together."
In addition, the TU opens up to urban society with numerous events, projects and initiatives. "These include campus tours, the TU Darmstadt Art Forum with innovative exhibition ideas, the Botanical Garden with around 8,000 plant species and university sports, including the publicly accessible university swimming pool," says the spokesperson.
Universities in Hesse are not only focused on research and teaching, but also on engaging with urban society. For instance, the University of Kassel's "Uni:Lokal" aims to serve as an open venue and meeting place for the city's society, promoting sustainable development and involving interested citizens.
Beyond Hesse, the Philosophical University of Marburg has a long history of collaborating with urban society in various projects, involving citizens in research and offering topics for semester-long projects.
Source: www.dpa.com
